Annapurna flood toll reaches 13, 17 and counting missing (UPDATED)

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KATHMANDU: The Seti river flood triggered by an avalanche somewhere in the Annapurna Himalayan Range, has claimed 13 lives so far. Rescue team involving Nepal Army, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force and Nepal Red Cross have claimed that the death toll could go up as complain of 17 people missing have been registered at the Kaski police office.

Identity of the decease is yet to ascertained. However primary reports claimed that one of the deceased might have been a foreigner tourist. Area police office has claimed that three Russian tourists have been missing.

The floods have swept the Kharapaani Bazar area, Bhujung Khola area.

Meanwhile Prime Minister Dr. Baburam Bhattarai is reported to have been coordinating the rescue operations in the area. Sources at the Baluwatar claimed that Bhattarai has been in constant touch with the field operations rescue team and the Home Ministry on the issue.

He has issued strict directives to the Home Ministry to use every available private, and public resources to expediate the rescue work.

Following the immediate orders Three Nepal Army Choppers and Two private helicopters have been mobilized in the rescue.
Local people gather to watch the rising waters of the River Seti in Yamdi village of Kaski district, about 200 kilometers (120 miles) west of capital Katmandu, Nepal, Saturday, May 5, 2012. A flooded mountain river has swept away dozens of people along with their houses, farms and cattle Saturday in western Nepal, officials said. Police official Shailesh Thapa said five bodies have been pulled out from the Seti river in Kaski district. (AP Photo/Bharat Koirala)

————–EARLIER UPDATE———————

KATHMANDU: Massive Avalanche in the Annapurna Himalayan Range of Machhapuchre VDC, Kaski has flooded Seti River. The floods has swept settlements on the embankments of the river killing nine persons till now. Identity of the deceased has not been ascertained so far.

The police has rescued three persons alive from the floods and are presently undergoing treatment at the Mannipal Hospital.

Rescue officials have expressed fears that the toll could rise more as still scores of people have been missing. Among the missing three are said to have been unidentified trekkers.

Along with that cattles and trucks and automobiles have also been swept away by the floods. Four trucks and a picnic bus parked on the banks of the river has been swept away by the floods.

Settlements near the banks of the river have been evacuated and a rescue team compressing of security officials from Nepal Police, Armed Police Force and Nepal Army have initiated joint rescue operations.

Meanwhile the Prime Minister has ordered the Home Ministry to step up rescue operations in the area.He has ordered to dispatch helicopters to expedite the rescue operations.

PMO sources claimed that the PM had earlier called Chief District Officer of Kaski and directed him to mobilize all private and government resources for the rescue operations.
Earlier Story (update 2)
KATHMANDU: At least four persons have been confirmed dead due to floods in Seti River triggered by Avalance in the Annapurna Himalayan Range.

The deceased have been not identified so far. Three persons have been rescued alive and are presently undergoing treatment at the local Manipal Hospital.

Rescue forces have intensified operations to find out other missing people. Actual numbers still remained elusive.

Earlier version of this story

KATHMANDU: Avalanche in the Annapurna Himalayan Range has flooded the Seti River. The floods encroached embankment settlements and swept away Mohan Tamrakar, a hotel entrepreneur residing on the banks of Sardi Khola.

Along with that floods have swept over a dozens of houses and four trucks.

Settlements along the embankments have been endangered while locals are fearing that the floods could enter Pokhara city.

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